Scaffold



Oct. 5 1926.

A. IFORTINA SCAFFOLD Filed March 30, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Oct. 5, 1926. 1,601,953

I A. FORTINA S CAFFOLD Filed March 30, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheei 2 s 1 M v f l i a i Q 4* o 2 INVENTOR.

BY Z Zflfi, QM

. ATT RNEYS.

Patented Oct. 5, 1926.

untrue STATES hfitheait PATENT OFFEQE.

AGI-IILLES FOB/TINA, OF EICEIMGNI), CALIFORNIA.

SCAFFOLD.

Application filed March 30, 1828. Serial No. 98,429.

This invention relates to scaffold structures.

it is the principal object of the present invention to provide a generally improved scaffold structure which is of simple and indently lowering.

closed as being a permanent structure.

In carrying out this object I provide a scaffold structure which is constructed in two units arranged upon opposite sides ofa traclrw'ay, sothat a railway car to be repaired or painted may be disposed therebetween.- Each scaffold structure is fitted with a vertically movable platform which may be disposed in either of a plurality of elevations. Latching means are provided which are operative from the platform to securely latch the platform in either of its elevations and prevent it from accidentally lowering. I

One form which the invention may assume. is Xemplified in the followingdescription and illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a scaffold structure embodying the preferred form of my invention with parts in section to more clearly disclose certain features of construction.

Figure 2 is an end view showing the scaffolding arranged at the sides of a trackway.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary View disclosing the construction of the latch mechanism for maintaining the platform at the desired ele vations.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary view in plan section taken on line IVIV of Fig. 1 of the mechanism disclosed in -the preceding figure.

Referring more particularly to the accompanying drawings, generally indicates a scaffolding structure for use in railway repair shops when repairing or painting railway cars. The scaffold structure is here dis- It may, however, be constructed so that it may be transported from place to place.

In the present instance I have shown the scaffold structure as being constructed in two units 11 which are arranged at opposite sides of a trackway 12, so that the car to be repaired or painted may be positioned directly between them and within working position of the platforms 14 of the scafiolds. The platform 14 of each scaflold unit is capable of being held at three different elevations, which have been foundsuflicient for all purposes in connection with railwav car repair work.

Reference being had to Fig. 1 it is seen that each scaffold unit comprises a pair of vertical columns 15 which are spaced a distance apart substantially equalto the length of a railwaycar and supported by piers 16.

The upper ends of the columns 15 are con nected by a horizontal beam 17. The columns 15 are tubular andeach receives a plat form guide 18. At their lower ends the platform guides 18 are rigidly connected by braces 18 to the horizontally disposed platform 14 arranged on the inner side of the scaffold. At their upper ends the guides 18 are fitted with transverse latch bars 20 which project horizontally and outwardly through elon ated slots 21 formed in opposite sides of each column 15'. The length ofthese slots 21 is sufficient to permit the guides 18 and the platform 14 to travel its maximum vertical movement. When the platform is positioned at its lowermost position thehorizontal braces 18*, which connect the guides 18 to the platform 14, rests in the lowermost ends of the slots 21 and support the platform at a distance above the ground. a

I It is intended that the platform 14 may be disposed at three elevations, one of which has been mentioned, the other two being at points where the bars 20 of, the guides 18 will engage the ends of pivotal latch levers 23. A pair of these levers 23 being pivotally connected to each column 15 at spaced distances apart. These levers are pivotally connected intermediate their ends to the columns 15, and their inner ends are adapted to extend across the slots 21 whenin operative position. The outer ends of each pair of levers 23 are connected by a vertical bar 24, the lower end of which is fitted with a counterweight 25. .The upper ends of the levers 24 are connected by a cable 26 which is led over sheaves 27. There is suflicient slack in this cable 26 so that it may be grasped by men working on the platform 14 to swing the pairs of levers about their pivotal points to latch the platform 14 in proper position. The extreme inner ends of the levers 23 when in latching position are adapted to rest on keepers 28 rigidly secured to thecolunins 15.

To elevate the platform of each scaffold unit a cable 29 is provided which is con nected at its ends to opposite-ends of the platform, as indicated by the numeral 30. This cable is led over blocks 31 suspended adjacent opposite ends of the beam 17. By exerting a pull on the cable 29, the platform will be elevated.

In operation if itis desired to elevate the platform, a pull is'exerted on the cable 29 to elevate the platform. During this time the latch levers 23 will be in unob'structing positions due to the provision of the counterweights 25, which normally hold the latch levers in the position indicated in Fig. 3. Then the platform has been elevated desired amount, a pull is exerted on the cable 26 to swing the latch levers to theirlatclring positions, as indicated in Fig. 1. The cable 29 is then releasedfso that the platform will lower slightly and thelatch bars 20 of the guides 18 therefor will engage the latch levers and thereby support theplatform.

When the bars 20 engage the lower latch levers 23, the platform will be held in one working position. When it is desired to raise the platform to its uppermost position, a pull is exerted on the cable 2 9, and as soon as the guides 18 rise far enough to permit the levers 23 to swing to unobstructing positions, the weights 25 will actuate the levers and so position them. The platform is then elevated by means of the cable 29 to its up permost position, after which a pull is exerted on the cable 26 to swing the latch levers to their latching positions so that the latch bars 20 on the guides 18 will engage the up-: per levers 23 and thereby support the platform in its uppermost position.

In order to gain access to the platform, one end of the platform is provided with a pivotal ladder 32 which may be positioned. if desired, asshown in 1 in fulllines so, that a person on the grouncl-inay ascend to the platform. When, the platform is in use in its upper positions. the ladder may be folded over onto the platform, as disclosed in. broken lines in Fig. 1.

It should be stated that the ends of the platform 1 of each scaffold unit project beyond the columns 15 so that planks 33 may be supported at the ends of the platforms of both units invwo'rking position relative to the ends of the car, as disclosed in Figs. 1 and 2; In this manner the workmen may easily reach any part" of the car desired for repairing and painting it. When switching the cars from between the scaffold structures, the planks 33 may be easily removed.

By having permanent scaffold structures on opposite sides of the traclrway, repairing and painting of railway cars is facilitated.

.t is apparent from the foregoing that in either of its three elevations, the platform will be heldin-position without any danger of it accidentally lowering.

While lhave shown the preferred form of my invention, it is to be understood that various changes may be made in its construction by thoseskilled in the art without departing from the spirit off the invention, as defined in the appended claim.

Having thus described myinvention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Pat ent is r A scaffold-strncture for railway cars comprising apar of vertically disposed tubular columns arranged a distance apart substantially equal to the length. of a railway car, a horizontally disposed platform extending between the columns, a guidemei ber vertically rec iprocable in each column, a rigid connection between each guide membe'r and the platform, said columns having and thereby support the platform, the outer ends of said levers-being connected together and counterweighted to normally hold them in an inoperative positiomandv a' cable connectcd to the outer ends of the lovers of each column whereby theymaybe operated from the platform to be disposed in latching position to engage the latch barsof the guide members.

ACHILLES roarma. 

